Posted on 08/19/2009 7:28:09 PM PDT by Clintonfatigued
If Rep. Ron Kind (D) runs for governor, his western Wisconsin swing district could be a competitive battleground in 2010.
Kind made his interest in running for governor known as soon as Gov. Jim Doyle (D) announced Monday that he will not run for re-election next year.
“Since Governor Doyle’s decision has become public, people from around the state have contacted me and urged me to run for governor,” the seven-term Congressman said in a statement from his office. “I thank them for their support and I am considering it. In the weeks to come I will make my decision.”
Kind had already attracted a notable GOP opponent in his expansive western Wisconsin district: state Sen. Dan Kapanke (R) filed his candidacy earlier this month. Kapanke represents a significant portion of the La Crosse area, where most of the 3rd district’s population resides.
Two other Republicans are looking at running for the GOP nomination, according to a Wisconsin Republican who supports Kapanke. Both have either considered or explored bids for the seat in the past.
State Rep. Michael Huebsch (R), who also represents part of La Crosse, might be interested. Huebsch did not immediately return a call for comment.
State Rep. Kitty Rhoades (R) could also be interested in running, although she could not be reached for comment either. Unlike Kapanke and Huebsch, Rhoades is from the less populated northern part of the district.
Local and national Democrats declined to speculate about any potential candidates for Kind’s seat until he officially announces a bid for governor.
However, state Rep. Jennifer Shilling (D) would be a natural choice for the seat. Shilling represents part of the La Crosse area as well and has the potential to raise significant funds because she sits on the Assembly’s finance committee.
(Excerpt) Read more at rollcall.com ...
This is a pleasant surprise. With Kind probably running for Governor. Republicans have a real shot at this dairy farming district, and they already have a credible candidate running. Apparently, having a German surname is helpful there.
Maybe now Brent Farve can re-retire from the Viqueens and run for Wisconsin Governor.
Not until he beats his old team twice and wins the Purple a Super Bowl.
Favre for Governor? That would be interesting.
The CD is a bit more Democrat than Obey’s CD, but it is definitely winnable for us if Kind runs for the governorship instead of for reelection.
things keep looking better and better; I just hope we don’t peak too soon. (But, then again, we need high hopes early in the cycle if we are to recruit the kind of candidates we need to win.)
Favre couldn’t get elected to scoop pig manure in Wisconsin right now. People are photo shopping his head onto a giant rat.
It’s one thing to play for the Jets. It’s another to play for the hated Vikings, and he skipped out on training camp as usual.
I would vote for Farve over any of the ones above. Damn, this state produces LOOSERS every Election Cycle!
Republicans already have a credible candidate running, regardless of Kind’s decision.
The Constitution Party of Wisconsin officially announces the candidacy of Michael Krsiean for US House of Representatives, 3rd District for the 2010 race against incumbent Ron Kind (D).
Michael Krsiean was officially endorsed on August 16th by the party’s Campaigns and Candidates sub-committee after proving in the vetting process that he will obey the US Constitution and protect individual rights with his initiatives and votes in office.
In this season of socialist onslaught Krsiean states his motivation to temporarily enter public service, “The American people are trapped by self-serving politicians who refuse hold the Federal government within the confines of Constitutionally mandated limits. They refuse to listen to and authentically represent their constituents’ wishes and recognize their concerns. My vision and strategy entitled “Constitution Unchained”, which will be unveiled during the campaign, has as its goal to unceasingly force the federal government back into its Constitutional confines, to cut the chains it has set heavily upon the American people, to restore reliance on the wisdom of our Lord Jesus Christ and to witness my beloved America and our children’s futures flourish once again!”
Hi, my name is Dan Kapanke, and I’m a candidate for the third district congressional seat in Western Wisconsin. I’m running because I believe that all of us are here on this earth to help somebody else. I’ve had the great opportunity to serve on local town boards, and to serve in the Senate in the State of Wisconsin. I am on my fifth year there and I’m very honored to do this.
Stimulus dollars for Wisconsin?
I know that we see some action from the stimulus dollars but as far as in Western Wisconsin and throughout the State of Wisconsin, not nearly enough. I had some major concerns about whether we should do the stimulus package at all. Because, what we need to do, is not stimulate the public sector but stimulate the private sector. Those jobs are not sustainable. We need to help the private sector with incentives, opportunities for people who want to grow jobs here in Wisconsin, want to start a business here in Wisconsin and help the overall economy of this State.
Representing Western Wisconsin
You know, I have never asked somebody, “are you a democrat or a republican?” If somebody needs help I am there for them. I could care less which political persuasion they are and whether it be union or non-union helping people. It’s all about doing the right thing. Not withstanding what might be the back lash, not withstanding what might be the group or organization that might be helping, if you’re doing the right thing for the people of Wisconsin you can’t go wrong.
Press Release:
Today, I am pleased and excited to formally announce my run for Congress in the 3rd Congressional District. It has been my honor to represent the people in the32nd Senate District and I look at this as an opportunity to bring my passion for service to all of Western Wisconsin.
Over the last month, I traveled up and down the river talking to people and listening to their concerns. What I heard centered around a feeling of unrest: how families worried about if they were going to make ends meet to pay their bills with a salary reductions; how a laid-off printing salesman was going to cover his healthcare premiums this year, how a young man worried if he would have a job next week, and what a dairy farmer was going to do given the historically low milk prices. These are stories of real people and the problems they face every day.
We are in times of great economic change and uncertainty. However, I have confidence in the people of Western Wisconsin and with the support of hard-working people up and down the river; I will bring my common sense approach and real experience as a business owner and consensus lawmaker to Congress.
Individuals and families need to see on their main streets how Washington is working to improve their lives and grow our economy. Congress is spending trillions of dollars on programs that are not stimulating Wisconsin’s economy and putting people back to work.
I am running for Congress because Washington is running on the wrong tracks and needs to re-align itself with the needs of the people. I want to bring greater fiscal accountability and transparency to how Congress is spending our tax dollars and put some common sense into the system. It’s time for fiscal responsibility in Washington and for bringing good jobs to Western Wisconsin.
Authorized and paid for by Kapanke For Congress | Bruce Jentz, La Crosse, WI, Treasurer
“I just hope we don’t peak too soon. (But, then again, we need high hopes early in the cycle if we are to recruit the kind of candidates we need to win.)”
The first point has occurred to me. But the later one did not. It’s a good one.
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